Today we celebrate Pentecost - the day when the Holy Spirit was first poured out on those first Jesus followers. Tongues of fire, declaring the goodness of God in a variety of languages and an equipping, empowering and envisioning saw a people movement like no other that transformed communities, nations and the world in the 2000 or so years since. The early church wasn't a new religion, a building, a denomination or something we do on a Sunday - it was 24/7 impacting everybody and everything, influencing every sphere of society with a Kingdom message of a new and different way of doing life. The early church met in homes and often around a meal table (maybe like zoom and facebook live church gatherings today!). The role of the church was to be salt and light - bringing out the God colours in the world and people. It sought to transform, renew, bless, minister to needs and proclaim that the Kingdom of God can be a reality in people, communities, regions, nations and world. The Holy Spirit working in us and through us: brings life; makes us wild and unpredictable; gives vision and dreams; causes us to call out situations that go against God's best; equips us to be people of justice and fairness; helps us stand against and destroy powers of darkness; and works with us towards God's Kingdom come, God's will be done on earth as in heaven. I am privileged to be part of a movement that has seen crime and anti-social behaviour reduced and Kingdom of God principals influence several spheres of society. A movement that has become salt and light in community after community as our amazing volunteers, many of them partnering with the Holy Spirit, see God's kingdom become a reality! In 2020 the world is in a different place than probably any other Pentecost throughout history! Let us be a people who once again ask the Holy Spirit to make us even more wild and unpredictable as we seek vision to be pioneers and influencers in a new and different way of doing life. Have a great Pentecost
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Paul chats to Sarah Leonard about her experiences of depression - #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek5/22/2020 In this time some days will be good and some days will be tough. Some days will start off good and turn tough and some days will start off tough and turn good. Others will try and put their baggage and garbage onto you but thankfully most will try and share each others load. Some will be bitter and twisted and criticise and pull others down but thankfully most will will be loving and kind and give support and extrude generosity towards one another to make sure we get through this and out the other end helping as many on the way to do likewise. Some will become bullies, mostly out of fear or anxiety but, praise God, most will champion one another and believe that we are all valuable and all have a voice and all have something to bring to the table - even if it is different to what we bring to the table.
Someone told me this morning that looking after yourself is important - take time to sit in the garden, to go for a walk, to simply be. Someone else once told me if someone has a problem with you or something you do - they are the one with the problem not you (boy that is hard to live by as a problem solver!) “Are you weary, carrying a heavy burden? Then come to me (Jesus). I will refresh your life, for I am your oasis. Simply join your life with mine. Learn my ways and you’ll discover that I’m gentle, humble, easy to please. You will find refreshment and rest in me. For all that I require of you will be pleasant and easy to bear.” #YouAreAmazing #YouAreValuable #BelieveWhatGodSaysAboutYou |
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March 2022
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